Markieff Morris, a former player for the Brooklyn Nets, recently shared his belief that the team would have won the 2021 NBA Finals if Kyrie Irving had not been injured during the Eastern Conference Semifinals. In an interview with the New York Post, Morris expressed his confidence that the Nets would have emerged victorious if Irving had not been sidelined in Game 3.
Morris suggested that the Milwaukee Bucks, who ultimately won the championship, would have been swept by the Nets if Irving had not been injured. He claimed that the Bucks were aware of this fact, although it is unclear whether they would acknowledge it. While former Bucks guard Jeff Teague supported Morris’ statement on his podcast, it is unlikely that key Bucks players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, or Jrue Holiday would agree with Morris’ assessment.
Before Irving’s injury, the Nets had taken a 2-0 series lead, with James Harden also dealing with an injury of his own. Harden returned to action after Irving was sidelined, but the Nets ultimately lost the series in seven games. Despite this setback, the potential of the Nets’ roster continues to generate discussion and speculation among fans and analysts.
The 2021 NBA season presented a missed opportunity for the Nets to claim their first championship, and Morris’ comments have reignited debate about what could have been. While the outcome of the series cannot be changed, the lingering question of the Nets’ potential success without Irving’s injury will likely continue to be a topic of interest for basketball enthusiasts.
This article was originally published on Brooklyn Nets on SI and has been republished here with permission. As the NBA offseason unfolds and teams prepare for the upcoming season, the impact of Irving’s injury on the Nets’ championship aspirations remains a point of reflection for fans and players alike.